Chart of the Day: Support for civil unions up, gay marriage still unpopular

Support for civil unions for gay and lesbian couples continues to rise, with 57 percent of Americans surveyed in August saying they were in favor of it, according to a recent Pew Research survey.

In 2003, only 45 percent of respondents were in favor of civil unions, while 47 percent were opposed. Since then the number of supporters has been steadily increasing. The Pew Research report said, in particular, support for civil unions among those who oppose same-sex marriage has grown from 24 percent in August 2008 to 30 percent in 2009.

Meanwhile, stances on same-sex marriage remain relatively unchanged from a year ago. Fifty-three percent of people surveyed in August opposed gay marriage. Thirty-nine percent were in favor.

Not surprisingly, attitudes on same-sex marriage are divided along party lines, according to the report. Seventy-two percent of Democrats are in favor, while 81 percent of Republicans are opposed.